Christie signs `leaving the scene' boating bill

New Jersey is increasing its penalties on boaters who leave the scene of an accident.

Gov. Chris Christie signed legislation Thursday that makes the crime similar to leaving the scene of a car crash.

The new rules make it a second-degree crime to knowingly leave the scene of an accident that results in death and a third-degree crime if it results in serious injury. Both will be punishable with steep fines and prison time.

Christie signed the bill on the waterfront in Point Pleasant, about five minutes from the site of a 2008 boating accident that killed 49-year-old Robert Post in 2008.

Post's wife said she was thrilled to finally see the law on the books.

Copyright 2014 WFMZ. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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